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Political science majors in the College of Liberal Arts learn how to understand and analyze the ideologies, institutions and social forces that shape our lives. Through courses in American politics, comparative politics, political theory, international relations, public policy and administration, students come to develop both a deep knowledge of the world around them and the critical thinking, writing and analytical skills that will prepare them for productive careers after college. Students have opportunities to apply and enhance their knowledge and skills through innovative projects in classes and through internships with public organizations and legislatures.
The bachelor's degree in political science emphasizes research and teaching that links theory with real-world issues and action through politics, public policy, and public administration. Political science encompasses the "political"—issues, institutions, behavior, power and public resources.
Political scientists also share a common interest: the public arena of human society, the uses of power and persuasion, and the ideas that shape social and political movements and governing institutions.
You will learn how to evaluate evidence and arguments, and understand political dynamics in the U.S. and across the globe. You will be able to contextualize events and processes, setting them in historical and comparative perspective. Our classes and our for-credit internship programs provide many opportunities for you to apply what you learn in real-world work contexts.
The bachelor's degree in political science prepares you for careers that demand critical and innovative thinking, evidentiary synthesis and analysis, and reading, writing, and speaking about complex organizational and public matters. These skills and knowledge will enable you to go on to be successful in any of a number of fields: law, political campaigns and lobbying, governmental and non-governmental organizations, media, business, the military, education, and social and political movements.
The American politics subfield focuses on the political behavior of the public U.S. political institutions and how they interact. Topics include public opinion, voting, campaigns and elections, political psychology, political identity, Congress, the presidency and bureaucracy, the courts, the media, state and local governments, and interest groups.
Comparative politics seeks to understand and explain socio-political, economic and historical outcomes through comparisons of socio-political, economic and cultural entities and forces between and within countries. Comparativists study political institutions, political organizations, political behavior across state and sub-state venues with a goal of understanding the how and why of politics in a variety of contexts.
The international relations field covers interactions, cooperation and conflict among states and between states and non-state actors. Topics of study include theories of international relations, conflict, foreign policy, national and international security, international law and organizations, global environmental policy, human rights, human security and international political economy.
The political theory area includes political philosophy and its history, contemporary political ideologies, democratic theory and political ethics.
This field includes topics such as foundations of public service, public human resource management, organizational theory and behavior, public budgeting, public policy process, policy analysis, policy implementation and a variety of substantive topics such as environmental policy, and energy politics and policy.
The Department of Political Science at the University of Nevada, Reno also offers a minor in political science. Students can choose to study from four interest subjects: general, foreign affairs, public administration and public policy, and American government.
In addition, the department offers a minor in political communication and advocacy. This program helps students become more effective political communicators and advocates, developing skills and knowledge that can translate into work in campaigning, policy-making and policy-marketing, and lobbying. Beyond required lower and upper-division coursework, students will work with the political science Internship coordinator to complete three-to-six units of a relevant internship.
The Accelerated B.A./M.A. combination degree option allows undergraduate students to pursue coursework to complete their Bachelor of Arts in political science and Master of Arts or Master of Public Administration degrees in five years. This accelerated program employs a curriculum that allows students to complete 120 undergraduate level credits and 30-36 graduate level credits in five years. Undergraduate students begin graduate level coursework in their fourth year. The program culminates in either a thesis or non-thesis M.A. or MPA degree suitable for students pursuing careers in public service, public administration, nongovernmental organizations or further study in a doctoral program outside the University of Nevada, Reno. The courses in political science cover a full range of the discipline, both in terms of substance and methodology. Courses in research methods provide the skills necessary for sophisticated analysis of political processes, institutions and policies. The courses in public administration are designed to increase the student's understanding of the internal organizational environment and to help the student develop needed managerial skills. Courses in public policy give the student an understanding of the social, political and economic environment in which public programs develop and operate. More specialized interests are developed through independent courses and projects students take as part of the curriculum.
Political science majors have gone on to careers in all levels of government, including working for the governor or U.S. senators and even running for office themselves. After graduation, students also may go into teaching, work for a multinational corporation or attend graduate or law school.
Our internship programs enable students to apply coursework to real-life experience. Political science and international affairs internships offer students the opportunity to explore potential careers in the field, network, apply coursework, build their résumé and receive academic credit. Internship opportunities are available at the local, state, national and international levels in various public, non-profit and private organizations. Check out our internships pages for more information.
76% of students receive financial aid
Almost everyone is eligible to receive some kind of aid. We offer need-based and merit-based forms of financial aid to help you afford college.
54% of all students graduate with no debt
That's right. More than half of our students leave the University of Nevada, Reno with no student debt.
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